The Film Daily (1927)

-. ttlfrl DAILY Friday, May 20, 1927 Hollywood Happenings Tom Geraghty Active Since the first of the year, Tom J. Geraghty has written or adapted the following : "Beau Sabreur," to be directed by William Wellman; "Fireman, Save My Child," for Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton, Edward Sutherland, director; "The Big Sneeze," starring Wallace Beery, James Craze, director; "Mile. Jockey," starring Bebe Danields, Clarence Badger, director. * * * Marie Prevost's Next David Butler has signed a contract with Metropolitan to play a featured role in Marie Prevost's next vehicle, an adaptation of a story by Fanny and Frederick Hatton. Harrison Ford will appear opposite with E. Mason Hopper directing. The adaptation is by Zelda Sears and Fred Stanley, and F. McGrew Willis will supervise. * * * Thorpe Directing Buffalo Bill Jr. Buffalo Bill Jr.'p next Pathe picture, an adaptation of Range Rider's "Circle D Borrows and Owner," in production with Richard Thorpe directing. The supporting cast includes Olive Hasbrouck, Harry Todd, Jim Corey, Jack McDonald. Al Taylor and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Belmour. "Two Arabian Knights" Completed Camera work on "Two Arabian Knight?," a Caddo Prod., directed by Lewis Milestone under supervision of John W. Considine, Jr., has been completed. The principals include William Boyd, supported by Mary Astor and Louis Wolheim. * * * Start "Road to Romance" With the adaptation and continuity completed, production of "The Road to Romance" will start this week, with Jack Mulhall and Dorothy Mackaill in featured roles. John Francis Dillon will direct. Signs Cornelius Keefe Cornelius Keefe, young leading man, has been signed by F. B. O. for one of the leads in "Hook and Ladder No. 9," which will be put in work soon at F. B. O. under direction of Harmon Weight. $ $ % Two Ready for United Camera work on two United Artists pictures has been completed. The films are Buster Keaton's "College." and the Duncan Sisters' first picture, "Topsy and Eva." "U" Signs Jobyna Ralston Universal has engaged Jobyna Ralston for "Betty's A Lady." a Jewel now in production. Charles Ray has been signed as the male lead. Mon" Picked for "Clown" Columbia has selected William V. Mong for the title role of "The Clown." a drama of circus life, scheduled for early production. * * * "Garden of Eden" for Corinne As soon as Corinne Griffith settles on a leading man and a cast she will start at once on "The Garden on Eden." for which June Mathis wrote the scenario . * * * Sterling Completes "Closed Gates" An original story by Nanfred Lee, "Closed Gates," a Sterling Production, has been completed and is being cut. F. B. O. Holds Gillstrom Arvid E. Gillstrom has finished work on "Clancey's Kosher Wedding," at F. B. O. and will remain on the lot for another picture. * * * "Gingham Girl" Completed Minnie Steppler, film cutter, is working with David Kirkland on "The Gingham Girl," which has just entered the cutting room at F. B. iO. * * * "Lost at the Front" Ready "Lost at the Front," directed bv Del Lord, starring George Sidney and Charlie Murray, is about ready to emerge from thcutting room. Natalie Kingston has the leading feminine role. "The boys certainly have done wonders in showing the w o r 1 id that they're ready to help the needy with flood benefit shows. However, there's still plenty who aren't eating regularly in the flood area, so don't stop now. Keep up the good work." To Film Stage Shows Special trailers showing the complete detailed steps in the construction of Publix stage shows is an innovation that will be in charge of Bill Steiner, former cameraman for Paramount. In addition to working on the trailers for the unit shows, Steiner is now making trailers which will reveal the entire making of a Publix stage show. This set will show how talent is selected, how the ballet dancers are trained, how the choruses are whipped into shape, how the costumes are designed and fitted, how the scenes are designed from miniature models and help in an entertaining way to clear up many of the mysterious factors that go on behind the scenes in the fashioning of a show. Presentations Enlarged Boston — A new policy has been adopted by the Metropolitan by the addition of a musical stage number in addition to regular presentation by John Murray Anderson. Jene Rodemich of St. Louis, with a jazz band, is this week's addition. Arcade Opens in Los Angeles Los Angeles — Principal Pictures Corp. has opened the Arcade, the latest downtown theater, formerly the old Pantages, which has been remodeled at a cost of $100,000. $225,000 Kenosha House Kenosha, Wis. — Construction work is under way on the $225,000 theater and business building. It will seat 1,200 and will be known as the Roosevelt. Ackles Back in Business Hillman City, Wash.— W. B. Ackles has purchased the American from DeVault and Blair. Ackles recently sold his Society, to Harold Home Enterprises, Seattle. Dagover Returns to "Legit" Berlin — Lil Dagover, who has returned from the States where she had a brief engagement with Paramount, has returned to the stage, signing a contract with Max Reinhardt. Theater with Only 80 Seats Munich — What is believed to be the smallest theater in Europe, has been opened here. It seats 80. German Unit Plans Five Features Berlin — M. Siegel. of Munich and Lothar Stark of Berlin, head a new production company which for the present, plans five features Stark will direct. "New Idea" Takes Memphis — The first week of the "New Idea," at the Loew's Palace was successful and the second one more so, according to Manager C. B. Stiff. The new Publix policy was inaugurated here May 2. Ralph Pollock's personality has caught on and the change from the classic type of the Publix units to the lighter vein of the "New Idea" seems to have caught on, although there have been many expressions of regret at the advancement of Boris Morros, former director, who is now supervising music through the southern section of the Publix chain. Yvonne Howell Gets Ingenue Role Hollywood — F. B. O. has signed Yvonne Howell, daughter of director Richard Howell, for the ingenue in "The Great Mail Robbery," which George B. Seitz is directing. Others in the cast are Theodore von Eltz, Charles Hill Mailes, Frank Nelson, Dewitt Jennings, Cora Williams and Nelson McDowell. Maude Fulton in "Gingham Girl" Hollywood — Maude Fulton, title writer and former stage player, makes her screen debut in "The Gingham Girl" which David Kirkland is directing for F.B.O., after which she states she will return to title writing. Keller Heads Eastbay Chain Oakland. Cal— Mark G. Keller, who has been division manager for the Golden State theaters in Monterey, Del Monte and Pacific Grove, has been promoted to a similar position in the Kastbay district, succeeding Charles R. Moser. Beatrice Van Extends Contract Universal City — Beatrice Van, scenario writer, has signed a new contract to remain with Universal for the next two years. She recently completed adaptation and continuity of "Beware of Widows" and "Silk Stockings," two Laura La Plante vehicles. Klein Buys San Jose House San Jose, Cal. — Maurice Klein owner of the Washington, Verdi and Broadway in the North Beach district of San Francisco, has bought the Victory for $100,000. Fenway Escapes Fire Damage Boston — Fire broke out in a store in the Fenway theater building, but prompt action of the fire department prevented its spread to the theater. Armstrong Managing Publix Aladdin Cocoa, Fla. — R. C. Armstrong has succeeded W. G. Mitchell as manager of the Aladdin for Publix. Colleges Sponsoring Film Education Rome — -The Universities of Turin and Naples have instituted a chair for film technique and film chemistry. Cineromans Company Active Paris — The French Societe de Cineromans has begun production on "Les Cing Sous de Lavarede." adapted by Arthur Berneded. The story will be published serially in "Le Petit Tournal." Gaumont to Make Nightingale Film London — Gaumont has acquired rights to a story dealing with Florence Nightingale and the Crimean War. It will be placed in work shortly. Ballance Promoted Atlanta — Paramount has consolidated its Atlanta and Dallas districts, with Harry G. Ballance heading the entire southern division. New Trade Publication Philadelphia — "Brevity/' a humorous monthly to circulate in the industry, is to be published starting June 1 by publishers of "The Exhibitor." Torodor Closes Old Mill Minneapolis — The Old Mill, loop ten cent house, has been closed by Max Torodor. Superior Theaters Takes K. C. House Kansas City — Superior Theaters. Inc., will operate under a 15-year lease a new theater at 15th St. and Prospect Ave. Lehman Gets Fremont House Fremont, O. — John Lehman has taken over the Gem, closed for some time. Banks Joins Ohio Chain Cleveland — William J. Banks, for four years secretary of the Cleveland exhibitors unit, who recently resigned, has been named manager of the Capitol, Ohio Amusement Co. house. Mosjoukine Keeps Name To avoid embarrassment of a fellow Russian, Ivan Mosjoukine will retain his name instead of changing it to Moskine for screen purposes. Start Janet Gaynor Production Hollywood — Alfred Green has started directing Janet Gaynor in "Two Girls Wanted," for Fox, with Glenn Tryon as leading man. L. E. Gray Buys One Argyle, Minn. — L. E. Gray, operating houses in Drayton and Bowesmont, N. D., has bought the Star from Hilmer Lindberg. $250,000 House for Milwaukee Milwaukee — Northwest Amusement Co. will soon commence work on their $250,000 theater and store building at 25th and Hopkins Sts. Studio Club Holds Anniversary Hollywood — First anniversary of the opening of their new club house was held last week by the Hollywood Studio Club. Yaconelli Directing Douglas Hollywood — Earle Douglas has started work on his stunt comedydrama for Sierra, "See You Later," which Frank Yaconelli is directing. Powell in "Beau Sabreur" Hollywood — William Powell has been chosen for the cast of "Beau Sabreur," for which Gary Cooper has been selected for the lead. William Wellman will direct. Horwitz Plans Another Cleveland — M. B. Horwitz, general manager of the Washington circuit, operating five houses here and two in Cuyahoga Falls, has secured a site on Hough Ave. at E. 84th St.. on which he will immediately start construction of a building which will include an 1800-seat theater.